Very well written, but I disagree...not with your basic premise (we need balance), but with the idea that running the ball yesterday would've somehow secured a win. Among the many mistakes that we made (Gore's fumble being right up there), the real keys to the loss were the dropped passes/missed opportunities in the passing game. Namely, the dropped TD pass by VD, and the ball that sailed by Crabtree, both in key moments in the last minutes of the game.

The running game wasn't netting anything all day long; the only thing that kept us alive and gave us a chance to win was the passing game. If either guy would've just made a play in that 4th quarter we wouldn't be talking about a 5-7 record or the need for balance in the offense.

We'd be talking about what an explosive passing game we now have and all the playmakers that are on this roster. We'd also be talking about how Smith is now a legit QB and how Singletary has allowed his team to evolve into what they do best....pass the ball.

IMO, it really came down to mistakes on our part, and not necessarily a lack of balance.

For the record. I think the current O-Line is what really prevents us to be balanced. They seem to only be a good run blocking unit when they are sucking ass with pass protection. Then they seem to only be good at pass blocking when sucking ass at run blocking.

I think there are certain elements within the O-Line that has a REAL problem being able to handle both.

If this is true...then that could explain why coaching and play calling is so unbalanced, because they know they can not depend on the line to do both well over the course of 60 minutes

people keep advocating balance, but the run game was so bad that people wanted us to pass more. Now were passing more and people say we need tor run more but when we do run, gore gets 1 or 2 yards or fumbles.

Not saying you specifically, LB, but people need to quite flip flopping all the fricking time. "WHy are you running?! pass more, its working!.....why are you passing so much?! run more, we need balance even though the run doesnt work all that well...."

We do need balance, we need to be able to run the ball when facing teams that have trouble defensing the run, and to be able to pass when we can't run. It is all about keeping the defenses honest, right now, every team knows we are going to pass, which makes Smith's performance these past two games even more impressive.

This team lost the ability to run the ball. Early in the year we we're doing OK. Not sure what had happened. My guess is team figured out how to defend the run. We all assumed going to the spread would create more room for Gore to run, but the problem ran deeper than that.

I agree with GoFD, tho, it was mistakes, not lack of balance, that lost the game.

Going forward, tho, I have to agree with your opinion that we saw a QB who can excel in a hostile environment. With a full off season and TC, I'd expect to see alot fewer mistakes and alot better execution--next year.

Originally posted by qnnhan7:This team lost the ability to run the ball. Early in the year we we're doing OK. Not sure what had happened. My guess is team figured out how to defend the run. We all assumed going to the spread would create more room for Gore to run, but the problem ran deeper than that.

Teams are obviously game-planning to stop our run, figuring we won't be able to make enough plays in the passing game to beat them. With the emergence of Smith/VD/Crabs/Morgan, they will now eventually have to game-plan for our passing game (which will open things up in the run game)...otherwise, we'll be able to gash teams through the air like we have been the last 10 quarters.

I glanced through the article, and I agree to a degree. Balance is needed for multiple reasons. I don't think running throughout the game would have netted a W, but I think situational running is important, such as our last drive, when he gained 8 on 1st, we should have run for the first twice either forcing them to take a TO, or we can use one after we get the first and have an opportunity to take more time off the clock. Bad play calling was just another issue with our whole team.

Originally posted by IdentityCrisis:I glanced through the article, and I agree to a degree. Balance is needed for multiple reasons. I don't think running throughout the game would have netted a W, but I think situational running is important, such as our last drive, when he gained 8 on 1st, we should have run for the first twice either forcing them to take a TO, or we can use one after we get the first and have an opportunity to take more time off the clock. Bad play calling was just another issue with our whole team.

It was not play calling it was bad decision making by our QB on our last drive.

This site is neither endorsed, nor sponsored by, nor affiliated with San Francisco 49ers or NFL Properties LLC. 49ers is a registered trademark of the San Francisco 49ers LLC. All teams and players mentioned are registered trademarks of the NFL and its respective teams. The use of any team names, words, trademarks, logos or photos have been used for descriptive purposes only. The content and information from other sites is the property of their respective owners. Player and team photos used with permission from USA TODAY Sports Images.